Transporting rudders - problems?

Short version: Is it bad for the rudders to be in a position where neither the up or down slot/groove is engaged? Even just for periods of 1-2 hours?

I used to transport my rudders in the car, with the slot engaged in the 'up' position (rudders and arms at 90 deg).

I just started transporting them in a Hobie gear bag on the trailer, but to fit them in the bag I have them straightened out to where neither slot is engaged (so the housings are pushed wider apart). Typical travel times like this are 1-2 hours.

Now it seems like they don't stay locked up when I'm on shore.

I recently read a thread about the housings getting bent apart from the rudders drooping during storage. Can this happen even with just 1-2 hours of the housings being held apart?

You can use the pin to hold them up while on shore. This does happen when the housing is tweaked open.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Thanks Matt. Yes, I did use the pin this weekend. I guess I'll go back to putting them in the car so it doesn't get worse.